niri
What it is
niri is a free Wayland compositor for Linux that arranges windows in columns along an infinite strip. Opening another window leaves existing windows at their current sizes. Workspaces are dynamic, stacked vertically and kept separate for each monitor. Its features include an overview, a built-in screenshot interface, window tabs, configurable layouts, animations, touchpad and mouse gestures, and configuration that can reload while niri is running. Monitor and window screencasting works through portals and PipeWire, with an option to block selected windows from casts. For X11 applications, niri can use xwayland-satellite, starting it when an X11 client connects. The project says it works with screen readers and supports touchscreens, though touchscreen gestures are not yet supported. Niri is not a complete desktop environment; DankMaterialShell and Noctalia are listed as compatible desktop shells. The project describes it as stable for day-to-day use. Installation options include distribution packages or building from source. The project identifies Matrix as its main questions channel and also links a community Discord server. It is licensed under GPL-3.0.
For and against
For
- Free under the GPL-3.0 license
- Workspaces are independent for each monitor
- Supports monitor and window screencasting
- Works with screen readers
- Supports distribution packages and source builds
Against
- Linux only
- Not a complete desktop environment
- Touchscreen gestures are not supported
- Untrusted clients need a suitable sandbox
The verdict
niri provides a distinct column-based Wayland layout with tools for screencasting, configuration and multiple monitors. Users seeking a complete desktop environment will need a compatible shell, and touchscreen gestures are not yet available.
Who it suits
niri suits Linux users who want a Wayland compositor with column-based window layouts and dynamic workspaces. It may also suit people who use screen readers or want a compositor that works with compatible desktop shells.
Plans and prices
Free
Open-source Wayland compositor · GPL-3.0
Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Accessibility
- The project says niri works with screen readers.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Desktop shells
- The project lists DankMaterialShell and Noctalia as desktop shells that support niri, and says niri itself is not a complete desktop environment.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Features
- Features include an overview, built-in screenshot UI, window tabs, touchpad and mouse gestures, configurable layouts, animations, and live-reloading configuration.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The getting-started guide lists distribution packages and building from source as installation options.niri-wm.github.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Niri integrates with xwayland-satellite to run X11 applications, spawning it on demand when an X11 client connects.niri-wm.github.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project license as GPL-3.0.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The project says niri supports touchscreens but does not yet support touchscreen gestures.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- niri is a scrollable-tiling Wayland compositor.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Screencasting
- Niri supports monitor and window screencasting through portals and PipeWire, and can block selected windows from casts.niri-wm.github.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The security guide says untrusted clients need a sandbox that removes niri's IPC socket, blocks host D-Bus access, and uses a filtered Wayland socket; it names Flatpak as one suitable sandbox.niri-wm.github.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Stability
- The project describes niri as stable for day-to-day use and says it does most things expected of a Wayland compositor.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project identifies its Matrix chat as the main communication channel for questions and also links a community Discord server.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Window layout
- Windows are arranged in columns on an infinite strip, and opening a window does not resize existing windows.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Workspaces
- Workspaces are dynamic and arranged vertically, with an independent set for each monitor.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
